Electric cap gun and light therefor

ABSTRACT

A combination electric light and electrically dischargable toy percussion cap gun unit embodying a round base, with a center hole in which is pressure fitted a miniature electric bulb, over which is a transparent plastic tube mounted on a cork supported by an arch. Passing through the cork are two conductors joined by a metallic heating element at their upper ends. The heating element is in contact with a percussion cap, of the kind commonly used in toy cap guns, affixed to the underside of a cork inserted into the upper opening of the tube, from which cork projects a Ushaped conductor which when properly positioned against the two conductors at the bottom of the tube closes the electric circuit, causing a short circuit thru the metallic element, the heat of which detonates the percussion cap and blows the top cork outwardly. Discharge of the cork and its U-shaped conductor off the upper opening of the tube breaks the electrical contact at the lower end of the tube and shunts the electric current to another conductor mounted against the contact side of the base of the bulb, which together with a contact at the lower terminal contact point of the bulb ignites the bulb. This conductor extends from the contact side of the bulb across the bottom surface of the base of the unit to a connection with a ringshaped conductor affixed to the rim of the base. One of the two conductors inside the tube extends horizontally from the bottom of the lower cork, while the other conductor passes through the hole in the base, around and in contact with the lower terminal contact point of the bulb, outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, insulated at its intersection with the ring-shaped conductor. Another U-shaped conductor, the upper end of which is in close proximity with the horizontal section of one of the conductors inside the tube, also passes through the hole in the base, then at a right angle outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, but in contact with the ring-shaped conductor at its intersection with it.

United States Patent Nathanson [541 ELECTRIC CAP GUN AND LIGHT THEREFORAlbert Nathanson, 75-60 199th Street, Flushing, NY. U366 22 Filed: Feb.5, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 8,890

[72] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerBenjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. JordanAttorney-Carl Miller [57] ABSTRACT A combination electric light andelectrically dischargable toy percussion cap gun unit embodying a roundbase, with a center hole in which is pressure fitted a miniatureelectric bulb, over which is a transparent plastic tube mounted on acork supported by an arch. Passing through the cork are two conductorsjoined by a metallic heating element at their upper Mar. 14, 1972 ends.The heating element is in contact with a percussion cap, of the kindcommonly used in toy cap guns, affixed to the underside of a corkinserted into the upper opening of the tube, from which cork projects aU-shaped conductor which when properly positioned against the twoconductors at the bottom of the tube closes the electric circuit,causing a short circuit thru the metallic element, the heat of whichdetonates the percussion cap and blows the top cork outwardly. Dischargeof the cork and its U-shaped conductor off the upper opening of the tubebreaks the electrical contact at the lower end of the tube and shuntsthe electric current to another conductor mounted against the contactside of the base of the bulb, which together with a contact at the lowerterminal contact point of the bulb ignites the bulb. This conductorextends from the contact side of the bulb across the bottom surface ofthe base of the unit to a connection with a ring-shaped conductoraffixed to the rim of the base. One of the two conductors inside thetube extends horizontally from the bottom of the lower cork, while theother conductor passes through the hole in the base, around and incontact with the lower terminal contact point of the bulb, outward tothe rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the topsurface of the base, insulated at its intersection with the ring-shapedconductor. Another U-shaped conductor, the upper end of which is inclose proximity with the horizontal section of one of the conductorsinside the tube, also passes through the hole in the base, then at aright angle outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loopjust above the top surface of the base, but in contact with thering-shaped conductor at its intersection with it.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ELECTRIC CAP GUN AND LIGHT THEREFOR Thisinvention relates in general to toys and in particular to a new anduseful electrically actuated device comprised of a toy cap gun and lightfor use in games, amusement and display devices.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an electricallyactivated toy cap gun and light discharging a ball-shaped cork out of anairtight transparent plastic tube, simultaneously lighting the bulb.

Another object is to set up the electrical circuit of the unit so thatafter discharge of the cork ball from the tube the light bulb set in thebase becomes lit and remains lit until the cork ball is reinserted inthe tube.

A third object is to set up the electrical circuit of the unit in such amanner that the firing circuit becomes deactivated after the cork ballis discharged.

A fourth object is to provide two conductors ending in loops outside thebase of the unit so that it may be placed in an inclined position on twometallic strips connected to the source of electric supply and firedwhile stationary or propelled along the metallic strips.

Another novel object is to have the terminal base point of the lightbulb and its encircling conductor protrude slightly below the level of aringed conductor at the rim of the base so that when it is in a verticalposition it will tilt and make electrical contact at only one point ofthe ringed conductor thus avoiding a short circuit if the ringedconductor lay flat against both polarities of the source of electricsupply.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the descriptioncontinues. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects myinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawingsare illustrative only and that change may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of the device showing all theparts. 7

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in cross section of the device.

FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the base.

FIG. 4 is an electrical circuit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1, illustrated from top tobottom is ball cork 10, with hairpin-shaped conductor 11 extending fromthe base of the ball cork outward and downward, the ball cork beingpressure fit into the top opening of tube 12, tube 12 in turn beingfirmly inserted onto another cork 13.

Passing upward thru cork 13 is a conductor 14, the lower end of whichextends at a right angle horizontally from the base of cork 13.Conductor 15 runs parallel to conductor 14 and passes downward thru cork13, thru the center hole of base 17, then at a right angle passing andin contact with the lower terminal contact of bulb 18 to the lower rimof base 17 and then upward ending in a hook just above the upper rim ofbase 17.

Cork 13 is mounted on support 19, which is itself mounted on base 17,both of which are epoxy glued in place.

A U-shaped conductor 20 passes thru the center hole of base 17, onevertical arm ending above the horizontal section of conductor 14, itslower end extending across the bottom of base 17 and then at a rightangle upward ending in a hook just above the upper rim of base 17.

Circular conductor 21 is mounted with epoxy glue on the under side ofbase 17 and makes contact with conductors 20 and 22, but is insulatedfrom conductor 15 at the point of intersection. Conductor 22, asillustrated in FIG. 2, is in contact with the side of the base of bulb18, and then at a right angle passes on the underside of base 17 to endin a point of contact with circular conductor 21.

The upper ends of conductors 14 and 15, are folded back to provide slitsinto which is inserted metallic heating element 23.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in cross section showing the contact withboth conductors 14 and 20, so that electric current will flow from apoint on circular conductor 21 which touches the source of electricsupply thru conductor 20 through conductor 11 to conductor 15. Sinceconductor 14 is in contact with the opposite polarity of electric supplyat its lower end where it touches the lower terminal contact of bulb 16,a short circuit is created thru metallic heating element 23,

the resultant heat of which fires off cap 24 pasted on the bottom ofball cork 10, and discharges the ball cork 10 into space.

Breaking the connection between conductors 14 and 20 shunts the electriccurrent to conductor 22 and 15 at which time the bulb becomes lit, theshort circuit thru heating element 23 having been corrected.

FIG. 3, which is a view of the underside of the base indicates therelative positions of conductors 15, 20, 21 and 22, and specificallyshows how conductor 15 extends across and in contact with the bottomterminal contact of bulb 18.

The device may also be fired in a tilted position while resting on thehooks of conductors l5 and 20, which are in contact with horizontalmetallic strips 25 connected to the source of electric supply, or whilebeing propelled along such metallic strips by a spring wound or batterypowered wheeled toy vehicle.

The simultaneous popping sound of the cork blown out of the tube, theemission of some smoke, and the lighting of the electric bulb createsthe effect of an explosion in miniature.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in theforms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. An electrically actuated novel cap gun and electric light unitdesigned to discharge a ball-shaped cork out of an airtight, transparentplastic tube and simultaneously lighting an electric bulb when the unitis electrically contacted to electrically charged metallic strips,comprising:

a. a transparent plastic tube sealed at each end by tightfitting corks,

b. the cork fitting into the upper end of the tube having inserted in ita right-angled hairpin shaped conductor extending downward,

c. the cork fitting into the bottom of the plastic tube having twoconductors passing through it connected at their upper ends by ametallic heating element,

. the upper ends of said conductors shaped to provide a slit to receivethe metallic heating element and keep it in position to make contactwith a cap pasted on the bottom of the top cork,

e. one of the two conductors extending downward through a circularopening in the base of the unit, then at a right angle against thebottom terminal contact of a bulb inserted in the opening in the baseand extending acro the bottom of the base, then at another right angleupward at the rim of the base to end in a hook a short distance abovethe upper rim of the base,

the second of the two conductors passing through the cork and thenhorizontally outwards from the bottom of the cork in close proximity toa third conductor extending vertically upwards on the outside of theplastic tube,

g. the third conductor, U-shaped, then passing through the circular holein the base, and at the point of contact with a ring-shaped conductorattached to the rim of the base upward to end in a hook a short distanceabove the upper rim of the base and another conductor extending from apoint of contact with the base of the bulb to a point of contact at theringshaped conductor.

2. The electrically actuated cap gun and electric light of device infiring position with hairpin-shaped conductor 11 in claim 1, including:

Ill. a miniature electric light bulb pressure fitting into the cirtzuiaropening in the base to become illuminated simultaneously with thebreaking of the short circuit through the metallic heating element atthe upper ends of the two ronductors inside the plastic tube when thecap is fired 5 Mid the ball-shaped cork discharged from the tube.

in t s z will]

1. An electrically actuated novel cap gun and electric light unitdesigned to discharge a ball-shaped cork out of an airtight, transparentplastic tube and simultaneously lighting an electric bulb when the unitis electrically contacted to electrically charged metallic strips,comprising: a. a transparent plastic tube sealed at each end bytightfitting corks, b. the cork fitting into the upper end of the tubehaving inserted in it a right-angled hairpin shaped conductor extendingdownward, c. the cork fitting into the bottom of the plastic tube havingtwo conductors passing through it connected at their upper ends by ametallic heating element, d. the upper ends of said conductors shaped toprovide a slit to receive the metallic heating element and keep it inposition to make contact with a cap pasted on the bottom of the topcork, e. one of the two conductors extending downward through a circularopening in the base of the unit, then at a right angle against thebottom terminal contact of a bulb inserted in the opening in the baseand extending across the bottom of the base, then at another right angleupward at the rim of the base to end in a hook a short distance abovethe upper rim of the base, f. the second of the two conductors passingthrough the cork and then horizontally outwards from the bottom of thecork in close proximity to a third conductor extending verticallyupwards on the outside of the plastic tube, g. the third conductor,U-shaped, then passing through the circular hole in the base, and at thepoint of contact with a ring-shaped conductor attached to the rim of thebase upward to end in a hook a short distance above the upper rim of thebase and h. another conductor extending from a point of contact with thebase of the bulb to a point of contact at the ring-shaped conductor. 2.The electrically actuated cap gun and electric light of claim 1,including: a. a miniature electric light bulb pressure fitting into thecircular opening in the base to become illuminated simultaneously withthe breaking of the short circuit through the metallic heating elementat the upper ends of the two conductors inside the plastic tube when thecap is fired and the ball-shaped cork discharged from the tube.